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Shanghai Masters: Djokovic strolls, Murray sails through to third round

No repeat of Federer’s astonishing slip-up as top seeds progress

Afp October 14, 2015

With his victory over Klizan, Djokovic raised his win-loss record to 69-5 this year. PHOTO: AFP

SHANGHAI: World number one Novak Djokovic extended his hot streak in China as he blazed past Martin Klizan at the Shanghai Masters on Wednesday with Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka snapping at his heels.

The two-time champion brushed Klizan aside 6-2, 6-1 to set up a clash with Feliciano Lopez or Dominic Thiem as he seeks to add to this year’s haul of eight titles, including three of the four Grand Slams.

The Serb lifted the China Open trophy for the sixth time on Sunday and he said a surge of confidence after what he calls his best season yet made him very tough to beat.

Read: Shanghai Masters: Roger and out — against world number 70

“Considering the fact that I’ve won so many matches this year and tournaments, probably the best season of my life definitely, I’m confident when I go anywhere,” said Djokovic.

Murray, another two-time winner at Shanghai’s Qi Zhong Stadium, also zipped past Steve Johnson 6-2, 6-4 and French Open champion Wawrinka beat Viktor Troicki 7-6 (7/3), 6-3.

After Roger Federer’s shock loss to 70th-ranked Albert Ramos-Vinolas late on Tuesday, there were no banana-skins for Djokovic, Wawrinka or Murray, who was returning to action following a four-week break.

Read: Shanghai Masters: Kyrgios sets up second-round clash with Nishikori

Outspoken Australian Nick Kyrgios flirted with a 28-day ban after he was slapped with his second code violation in as many matches during his 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 loss to Japan’s Kei Nishikori.

Kyrgios was again at the centre of controversy when he received a code violation for smacking away a loose ball and nearly hitting a line judge -- a day after he was fined $1,500 for an audible obscenity.

If the 20-year-old totals $5,000 in fines by February 24 he will trigger the 28-day suspended ban he received in August for making a sexual comment about Stan Wawrinka’s girlfriend.

Read: Djokovic thrashes Nadal for sixth title in Beijing

Meanwhile, Australian number one Bernard Tomic reached the third round when he beat David Ferrer 6-4, 6-2 — denting the Spaniard’s hopes of reaching the World Tour Finals in London.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2015.

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